Fujifilm X-M5 - My First Impressions

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I managed to get my hands on a demo unit of the newly launched Fujifilm X-M5 at a touch and try session happening inside the Artishutter X N4 camera store last Saturday. I am genuinely curious about this camera, an entry level camera with advanced features that is made into a truly compact and lightweight body in the year 2024, and selling for under USD1000 price tag, is it too good to be true? Since I only had the camera inside the store and did shoot with it extensively, obviously this is not going to be a review, but I am merely sharing my hands on experience with the X-M5, what I like and dislike about it. I also have made a new video about the same topic here (click). 


I am just going to go straight to the point. What do I like about the Fujifilm X-M5?
  1. Beautiful design - I have to say Fujifilm does know how to make sleek, pretty looking cameras. I love the all-black design with a touch of minimalism, the rangefinder styled flat top look screams retro-classic. This is a camera that can inspire you to pick it up and go out to shoot more. 
  2. Small & light - I was pleasantly surprised to find that the X-M5 was truly compact in size, in fact it was about the same sized compared side by side to the smaller Micro Four Thirds setup, say the Olympus PEN E-PL7 (shown in video). The camera also weighs only 355g. You all know I have a soft spot for small cameras that are still capable in delivering great results. 
  3. Logical Controls - The buttons, dials and overall control layout on the X-M5 makes sense. They are easy to reach and logical to figure out quickly. I prefer the dual command dial (much like a DSLR, front and back dials) in opposition to Fujifilm's own higher-level cameras like X-T5 and X-Pro 3 that have multiple manual mechanical dials (exposure compensation, shutter speed dial, ISO dial) that require more fingers to operate. The X-M5's control placements are more efficient, and I find that it suits my shooting style better. 
  4. Flagship Level Internals - While the X-M5 is an entry level camera, it features flagship level image sensor similarly found in X-Pro 3 and X-T4, the 26MP X-Trans sensor, which has been highly praised for its high performing qualities. Also, the X-M5 uses Fujifilm's latest X-Processor 5 engine. 
  5. Latest Autofocus - The AF system is the same one ported over from X-T50, with the same AI powered algorithm for subject AI tracking. I acknowledge that on many online discussions there has been complains on AF reliability and several issues with X-T5 and X-T50, with the AF getting worse after each firmware update, but let's not get into that as I have not used any recent Fujifilm camera models extensively. I have only played with the X-T50 in store an hour or so, and I cannot make any meaningful real life experience conclusion based on that. 
  6. Vlogging Features - The X-M5 is designed with vloggers in mind, featuring swivel articulated LCD screen, improved internal microphone setup, mic input, 6k open gate shooting as well as a dedicated Vlog mode on the mode dial. I shall not comment much on video capabilities as I am not a videographer, but it is nice to see some advanced video features in a compact, entry level setup. 
  7. Price Tag - For RM3948/USD800, I think the price for X-M5 is justified. I am glad manufacturers are still making capable sub-USD1000 cameras, without nerfing it too much, and in a small package. 
Of course, no cameras are perfect, and I do have some dislikes. 
  1. No In Body Image Stabilization - Since X-M5 is targeting vloggers and has a plethora of useful video shooting features, it is strange to leave the in-body image stabilization out. That would have opened up a whole different world of possibilities, not just for video, but also for stills shooting. If they can fit in a powerful 3-Axis Image Stabilization in Olympus PEN E-PL7 more than 10 years ago, I am sure they can do the same in the latest X-M5, without incurring too much cost. Even if it did cost USD100 more, it is worth paying for the added benefits of stabilization. 
  2. Handling - The camera body is made of plastic, which itself may not be a bad thing, and for an entry level camera I do not expect high grade construction like flagship cameras. However, the plastic material on the hand gripping contact areas of the X-M5 are too smooth and to a point, dangerously slippery. In the short amount of time handling the X-M5 I can feel the camera almost slipping away from my fingers. It could have benefitted from a rubberized texture to help with securing the hand grip, including the thumb hook area at the back of the camera. I do not foresee myself shooting with the X-M5 comfortably for a long duration of time. 
I cannot comment much on overall camera performance when it comes to image quality or autofocus speed and reliability, since I only had the camera for a brief period of time. Nevertheless, for image quality, I am expecting to see the same results from X-Pro 3 and X-T4, which is no slouch, these are flagships, delivering the best possible output from Fujifilm system, combined with the latest image processor engine. As for autofocus, I hope Fujifilm gets their **** together and really catch up to what the competition (Sony, Canon) are doing. 

Overall, I am quite impressed with what Fujifilm has done with the X-M5. It is truly small and light, yet packed with high performing internals - flagship image sensor and latest image processor. Therefore, I am calling the X-M5 a mini entry level powerhouse, and I wish other manufacturers do the same. 



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1 comment:

  1. Imagine having AI powered subject recognition, tracking AF in an entry level camera. Lack of IBIS is somewhat problematic for those who would want to use compact primes with this camera, which lack IS. It also seems that the new Fuji standard zooms do not have IS, given the incorporation of IBIS in the XF line, though the 15-45mm kit lens has IS. Overall, a really nice addition to the line.

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